2 John 1:8

2 John 8

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

a. ASV: Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

  

b. YLT: See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [persevere until you] win and receive back a perfect reward [in full].

1. “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought…”

a. Look [Strong: 991 blépō, blep'-o; a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):—behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.]

1). This particular word is used for the sense of sight of perceiving and thinking but it is also used in the sense of being on guard, of being aware of taking heed. John is saying this to stress our responsibility in making sure we get a full reward.

a). Mark 4:24  And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

b). Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

c). Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

2). It is my responsibility to bring my flesh under subjection through the empowerment of the grace of God. It is not possible to do it through self effort but only through the grace of God.

a). 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

3). It is my responsibility to cleanse, purge and purify ourselves through the grace of God, the word of God, and the Spirit of God.

a). 2 Corinthians 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

b). 2 Timothy 2:15-21 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

c). 1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

b. [to] yourselves [Strong: 1438 heautoû, heh-ow-too'; from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of G846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:—alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]

c. that...not ]Strong: 3363   hína mḗ, hin'-ah may; i.e. G2443 and G3361; in order (or so) that not:—albeit not, lest, that, no(-t, (-thing)).]

d. we lose [Strong: 622 apóllymi, ap-ol'-loo-mee; from G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:—destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.]

e. those things which [Strong: 3739 hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

  

f. we have wrought [Strong: 2038 ergázomai, er-gad'-zom-ahee; middle voice from G2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:—commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.]

1). There are different ways we can lose the reward given for what we have worked for. He is not referring to salvation he is talking about rewards. The clear passage that deals the judgment of God on our works as a believer is 1 Corinthians 3.

a). 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

2.  “...but that we receive a full reward.”

a. but [Strong: 235 allá, al-lah'; neuter plural of G243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):—and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. [that] we receive [Strong: 618 apolambánō, ap-ol-am-ban'-o; from G575 and G2983; to receive (specially, in full, or as a host); also to take aside:—receive, take.]

c. [a] full [Strong: 4134 plḗrēs, play'-race; from G4130; replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete:—full.]

d. reward [Strong: 3408 misthós, mis-thos'; apparently a primary word; pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad:—hire, reward, wages.]